Smith defers answers on 2023 Guyana mission
Smith
Junior Minister for Financial Services Lorna Smith declined to answer questions about the outcome of the BVI’s 2023 trade mission to Guyana during a press conference focused on a recent mission to India and constitutional negotiations.
Reporter Cindy Rosan asked Smith what the Guyana visit had achieved. The question came during an exchange with Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley about the India mission, including how the government would measure its results.
“I just want to say that we came here prepared to talk about India and the constitution. If we want to arrange, in fact, I think we should arrange another press briefing on Guyana, but today isn’t the day to talk about Guyana,” Smith said.
Rosan pressed Smith, saying the public wanted to know the results of the mission.
“I would be happy when I can prepare for that,” Smith said.
When asked whether she could offer anything from memory, Smith gave no further answer before the press conference moderator moved to the next questions. Smith led the Guyana trade mission in 2023 while serving as Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade. Before the visit, she told the House of Assembly that the BVI wanted to strengthen ties with Guyana, identify opportunities for both territories and expand the reach of its financial services industry.
The delegation included government officials and private sector representatives, with discussions covering trade, agriculture and financial services. At a press conference after the visit, Smith linked the mission to Guyana’s economic growth and said the BVI had investment structures that could serve the country.
Smith later identified hospitality, agriculture and financial services among areas where opportunities could be explored.
During the mission, Smith said the government was considering removing visa requirements for Guyanese visitors as part of efforts to strengthen ties. The BVI implemented that exemption in November 2024.
Cabinet also approved a proposal in August 2024 to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with Guyana covering trade, financial services, tourism and technical assistance.
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It’s absolutely terrifying what this country has become! Reckless, rudderless, and leaderless.
This government absolutely refuses to show any metrics, on any level, on what it is doing, or what it has done for the people.
Enabled by an equally reckless UK, and a it’s inept Governor (who’s only measurable claim to success has been to get an extra year’s extension on his vacation).
No audited accounts in ten years!!! How is that possible?
A territory that should be the shinning example of what a Caribbean nation could (and should) be, is on it knees looking up to other Caribbean nations who are above us, with far less.
So deeply saddened. .. ….
This territory is on a downward trajectory to hell. The elected governmemt refuse to tell the people how they spend our money. We have to hold them accountable at the polls. They have to go.
This Is What Our Territory Has Resorted To? A Hide and Seek Game? A Dictatorship Society? Woman Stop Talking S#it!1 Thank God Come 2027 We won’t Have A Lot of You all To Deal With. Send Them All Home To Sit In Their Corners. BVI Deserves Better And Better Will Come Sooner Rather Than Later. We Taking Back What The Devil Has Stolen From Us. We Are Voting For Clean-Hearted, God-Fearing, Trustworthy Transparent
Ancestral Virgin Islanders To Take Care Of Our resources With Nothing To Hide. This Is A New VIP Tactic.